Can a piece of jewelry hold 15 years of stories?
I believe it can.
This year marks 15 years since I sketched my very first map and turned it into a necklace. It started as a design experiment - a way to understand identity, memory, and place. I had no idea that small sketch would spark something that would reach over 50,000 people around the world.
So today, I want to take you behind the scenes - to reflect on how we got here, what we’ve learned, and how every map we create still moves us like the very first one did.
From a Single Sketch to 50,000+ Maps
When I started Talia Sari, it wasn’t a brand. It wasn’t even a business plan. It was just me - a young industrial design student, sketching maps of cities I had lived in: Cleveland, Rome, Jerusalem.
I was trying to hold onto something - a sense of place. A way to say, this is part of who I am.
That first map necklace wasn’t made to be sold. It was a personal project - a small, quiet reflection of memory. My way to express my feelings. Soon I showed it in an art exhibition. The response was overwhelming: people asked if I had more cities, and if I could create one just for them.
And when I wore it myself, the questions kept coming. Then their friends reached out, too. And soon enough, my small studio was born.
Today, we’ve crafted more than 50,000 custom maps. Each one designed from scratch. Each one telling a different story. From the street where they met to the island where she said yes. From a childhood home to a final goodbye. Every map is a moment.
A Few Stories We’ll Never Forget
Here are just a few moments that have stayed with me over the years:
A hospital in Melbourne. A customer asked us to mark the place where his wife gave birth to their first child after years of waiting.
A café in Paris. It was where two travelers met during a study abroad semester. They now wear matching map necklaces.
A bench in Central Park. A woman commissioned a piece in memory of her mother, who sat there every weekend with her.
Every order we receive feels like a trust we’ve been given - to carry someone’s memory with care.
Why We Still Design Each Map by Hand
We’ve seen copycats and shortcuts come and go- companies using templates, mass-produced imitations, and even copying our website, our photos, our designs, and our ads.
But here, we still do it the original way. One map. One story. One design at a time.
In a world of fast everything, we still choose slow, careful creation.
What 15 Years Have Taught Me
Here are a few truths I’ve learned along the way:
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People don’t just want jewelry. They want to feel connected.
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Small teams can do big things. We’re still small, but we’ve reached tens of thousands of hearts.
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The most meaningful gifts are personal. Always.
There have been hard years. There have been moments I’ve wondered how to keep going. But every time someone sends a message like, "I cried when I opened it," I remember why we started.
You Might Be Wondering...
Can I still order in time for a birthday/anniversary/event?
Yes! Just keep in mind that each piece takes up to 10 days to craft, plus shipping. If you’re not sure, feel free to email us and we’ll help you plan.
Do you really make each map custom?
We do. No two are ever the same.
Where are the pieces made?
All our jewelry is made in our Tel Aviv studio by our small team.
What About You?
If you could choose one place to carry with you, what would it be?
Where did your story begin?
We’d love to help you turn that memory into something real.
Thank You for 15 Years
Whether you’ve ordered from us before, followed our journey, or just discovered us now - thank you. You’re the reason we get to keep doing what we love.
As part of our celebration, we’re offering 15% off sitewide, including a brand new design inspired by when it all began. More info coming soon
Explore the collection → Talia Sari Custom Map Jewelry
Here’s to the next map. And the next memory.
With love,
Talia